By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A COLOURFUL and vibrant group of Dutch folk dancers took to the stage at the Parklea Pakenham and District Agriculture and Horticulture Show in their wooden clogs and authentic Dutch costume for the show’s Harmony Day Multicultural Festival.
The group of 10 couples started 37 years ago in a garage, with their oldest member now 93 years old.
The festive couples, who all trace their origins to Holland, said they loved getting together and keeping the Dutch culture alive.
Their costumes come from a county called Twente in eastern Holland and group member Ricky Temminghoff said the wooden clogs were still worn in Holland and rural areas today.
“They are so easy to step in and out of and it doesn’t matter if they get muddy,” Ricky said.
The Melbourne Tukkers Folk Dance Group are the only Dutch dance group in Melbourne and the seasoned show dancers presented 19 different routines on the day.
“Each dance tells a story about Dutch life and gives audience members an explanation of what people did many years ago in Holland,” group announcer Herman Munnink said. Their bright tulips, lively smiles and animated dance routines kept audiences coming back for more throughout the day.
